Canadians Support NATO Operation in Kosovo, Favor Use of Ground Troops

Strategic Insights -

A recent Angus Reid poll has revealed that the majority of Canadians favour the NATO operation in Kosovo, with 66% supporting the use of air attacks on Yugoslavia. The survey of 1,000 people also found that most Canadians believe the bombing is morally justified, with 77% saying they trust NATO's claims that Serbia is massacring or driving out ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. The poll also showed that Canadians are divided on whether to continue the air attack, with 35% supporting a continued bombing campaign and 22% opposing it.

Key Takeaways:

  • A majority of Canadians (66%) support the NATO operation in Kosovo, with 36% strongly supporting it.
  • Most Canadians (77%) believe the bombing is morally justified, with 6% supporting the Serbs' contention that they are fighting only armed ethnic-Albanian rebels.
  • Canadians are divided on whether to continue the air attack, with 35% supporting it and 22% opposing it.
  • Four out of 10 people surveyed supported the use of ground troops, with 6 in 10 supporting it if it was the only effective way to stop the violence in Kosovo.
  • Younger Canadians (18-34) were more likely to support ground combat, with 55% supporting it.
  • Canadians are strongly in favour of helping refugees from Kosovo, with 93% saying Canada has a moral obligation to help them.
  • Men were more likely than women to suggest that aid for the ethnic Albanians be provided in the Balkans rather than in Canada.
  • Canadians were nearly evenly split on whether to bring refugees to Canada, with 35% supporting it and 31% opposing it.
  • Support for ground troops was highest in the UK (58%), followed by the US (47-61%), and lowest in Germany.
  • Canadians' support for the engagement is highest among demo groups who feel a greater sense of moral obligation toward the situation, something which may change as casualties increase.

Statistics:

  • 66% of Canadians support the NATO operation in Kosovo.
  • 77% of Canadians believe the bombing is morally justified.
  • 35% of Canadians support continuing the air attack.
  • 22% of Canadians oppose continuing the air attack.
  • 40% of Canadians support using ground troops.
  • 55% of younger Canadians (18-34) support using ground troops.
  • 93% of Canadians believe Canada has a moral obligation to help refugees from Kosovo.
  • 35% of Canadians support bringing refugees to Canada.
  • 38% of Canadians support providing aid to the ethnic Albanians in their own region.
  • 15% of Canadians strongly agree that Canada should not be spending money to help Kosovo refugees when there are homeless people in Canada.
  • 32% of Canadians strongly oppose allowing Kosovo refugees to stay in Canada permanently.

Sources:

  • Angus Reid Group
  • http://www.angusreid.com